BCS Specialist Certificate in Supplier Management

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About this course

Course typeSpecialist

Course codeBCSSSM

Duration3 Days

This course provides candidates with an understanding of the principles of, and practical experience of using industry best practice to utilise a Supplier Management process successfully across a services organisation.

This qualification reflects the general industry best practices currently in use in IT Service Management (ITSM) and particularly Suppler Management. The subject matter within this qualification is based on industry best practice, frameworks and guidelines including ITIL, COBIT and ISO/IEC 20000. This qualification forms part of the 'BCS ITSM Specialist' series.

Target Audience:

Individuals who require a working knowledge of the industry best practice used in Supplier Management and how it may be used to enhance the quality of ITSM within an organisation.

IT professionals who are working within an organisation which has adopted and adapted some of these practices and are required to deliver or improve Supplier Management within an ongoing Service Improvement Programme (SIP).

Individuals who wish to sit the BCS Specialist Certificate in Supplier Management Exam (sat on the last day of the course)

This course is aimed at those working or preparing to work in a Supplier Management role and/or within a Supplier Management process whether at a technical, operational, supervisory or managerial level. This course may also be of interest to Project Managers, Business Managers and Business Process Owners.

The purpose of the Specialist qualification in Supplier Management is to certify that the candidate has gained the knowledge of relevant industry best practices and is capable of applying them in a working environment.

Please note that as of the 31st March 2015 the ITIL Complementary Qualifications scheme which these BCS Specialist courses link to, is to be withdrawn. Candidates who take this course and exam PRIOR to this date will still receive an additional 1 ½ credits towards their existing ITIL credits. Any BCS Specialist exams taken after this date, will no longer count towards their ITIL qualification credit status.

What’s included

Prerequisites

Candidates must hold the ITIL Foundation Certificate (any version). It is recommended that candidates have a minimum of two years' experience in IT Service Management.

Success on the course will be enhanced by candidates spending at lead 10 hours on reviewing their ITIL Foundation material prior to attending one of the BCS Specialist courses

If you are taking a BCS exam you must bring photographic identification with you (passport, driving license or student card), as it is a BCS requirement to produce it for the invigilator prior to the exam. Failure to produce a valid form of photographic identification will result in a candidate not being able to sit the exam. For any questions about what form of identification is acceptable please contact your Account Manager or the QA Examination Administration team on 44 (0)1793 696273

BCS allow additional time for candidates who have a disability or whose native language differs to that of the examination paper. Full details are provided in the BCS Reasonable Adjustments Policy which is available to view on the BCS website. If you believe you qualify for this then please notify the Exam Administration team on the details below as early as possible. At least two weeks' notice will be required for processing this request. Delegates failing to advise QA and provide evidence when requested, may not be allowed the additional support offered via the BCS policy. QA Exam Administration can be contacted by email exam.admin@qa.com or by phone 44(0) 1793 696162.

Essential Prerequisites

Proof of prerequisites MUST be produced on the day of the exam to the trainer.

Acceptable forms of prerequisite confirmation are as follows:

A copy of the candidates examination certificate

Confirmed entry in the AXELOS Successful Candidate Register. You will need to provide the full SCR number (registration/candidate number located on your certificate).

Delegates without evidence of the prerequisites will NOT be permitted to sit the exam. For any queries on this please email prereqs@qa.com

Outline

Holders of the BCS Specialist Certificate in Supplier Management will be able to demonstrate their competence in, and their ability to:

Explain the goal and objectives of Supplier Management

Understand and explain the processes, roles and functions, especially those related to Supplier Management

Use different approaches to, and application of, standards, industry best practice frameworks and guidelines, relevant to Supplier Management

Develop and improve the customer and business focus of Supplier Management Understand the different supplier categories and use and apply the Supplier Management process to manage interfaces between the business and the supplier(s) in conjunction with all other areas of IT

Manage suppliers through all stages of the supplier lifecycle, from identification of requirement, through to exit strategy

Identify and agree deliverables from suppliers in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders

Be aware of selection and negotiation techniques employed in Supplier Management with regards to invitation to tender (ITT) and contract approval

Identify and manage resources required in the management of suppliers, ensuring these are aligned with set priorities

Be aware of the support tools and techniques available for the implementation and support of Supplier Management and where possible identify and instigate improvements Practically manage suppliers to ensure objectives are met, contracts are managed, performance is monitored and measured, interfaces and processes are effective, and exit strategies are compiled and implemented. This to be done in conjunction with other areas of IT and the business.

Produce Supplier Management reports for dissemination and interpret and use these to manage suppliers and their performance

Understand the interdependencies between Supplier Management and other IT areas and processes

Assist with the planning and implementation of Supplier Management

Examination

The examination is a 1½ hours 'closed book', multiple-choice paper. There are 25 questions which are scenario based.
Normally, the examination will be held on-site at the conclusion of the course. However, BCS will normally also arrange four central examinations per year in March, June, September and December; please contact the BCS for further details.